PORTLAND - Paint from has peeled and flaked from three I-295 interstate bridges within the City of Portland, necessitating lane closures while the debris is cleaned up and removed. The Maine Department of Transportation, working with guidance from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, will begin the clean-up process on Thursday, February 9th. It is expected to be completed prior to the weekend.

The bridges, over Franklin Street, Congress Street and the Fore River Parkway were last painted in 1973 and 1974. Given the location of the bridges, where the lead-based paint debris is located, and the prompt clean up, there is little risk to public health. Members of the public should not touch or ingest any debris that could be from the bridges.

While cleaning up the debris, MaineDOT will also assess the potential reasons that contributed to the paint failure, which is an uncommon occurrence. The bridge over Franklin Street is scheduled to be repainted this year. The bridges over Congress Street and the Fore River Parkway may also be repainted this year, pending MaineDOT's assessment.

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